MSG is used in cooking as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.

What is MSG is it bad for you?

MSG levels are high especially in foods such as tomatoes, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. Thus, it is clear that MSG within the limit is not at all bad for your health. One of the findings concluded that MSG is safe, although in some, MSG, when consumed above 3 g, may induce symptoms such as headache or drowsiness.

Is it bad to cook with MSG?

Though there's been a lot of research on the subject since the 1970s, it's still not clear whether it's bad for human health, or responsible for whatever "Chinese restaurant syndrome" is. In fact, as far as the FDA is concerned, MSG is "generally regarded as safe."